There’s an array of different mediums of art to buy. Many artists use distinct techniques and personal methods when they create art, which helps make their work so distinctive. Typically, artists choose to use specific techniques that work best for them and fit their artistic expression.
Finding what art medium works best for you is all down to trial and testing. It can be tedious finding out what artistic medium works the most efficiently for you and your style – from watercolours, oil pastels, oil paints, acrylic paint, mixed media, graphite and charcoal, there’s a great plethora of various mediums to make use of.
There’s useful information on the internet about different mediums, which can be valuable to research when you’re weighing up the selection of options to choose from. If you’d like to find out more information about the wide variety of mediums of art to buy, continue reading.
Different Types of Art Mediums
There’s a wide array of different art mediums to purchase, all of which help create pieces of work relating to your art form. Throughout art history, artists have used various methods and techniques in their work to produce some of the most recognisable, well-known compositions that we all know and love today.
Fast forward to 2023, and artists across the globe are using a selection of different mediums to create bespoke, public contemporary and modern art. Whether you’re drawn to using watercolour, acrylic or oils, most artists will find their preferred method and painting techniques once they practise for some time.
Here at Art Investments, we are dedicated specialists, having worked in the industry for numerous years. We have a wealth of experience and knowledge on the different selections of art mediums to use. We’ve compiled a few of the most popular choices that are widely used today.
Pencils
Predominantly used on paper surfaces for drawing, both graphite and coloured pencils are used to construct compositions and sketch work. First used by French artists during the 17th century, graphite pencils are the ideal art medium for both beginners and intermediate artists to use.
Regardless of the type of artwork you specialise in, using pencils to mark outlines and prep your canvas can be beneficial. Not only can you erase your mistakes, but you can use pencils for shade work and utilise different lead types to help produce either more subtle or heavier-looking artwork.
Charcoal
Fire has been a big part of human culture, making charcoal one of the most readily available art mediums for humans from all historical stages to use. By using the technique of binding organic powder with a wax-like substance, we’ve been able to create charcoal sticks – a much simpler alternative to use compared to our ancestors.
Similar to graphite pencils, charcoal can easily be erased, smudged and built up to add definition to your work. Good quality charcoal can help produce some of the most interesting, unique pieces of work. Made mostly from carbon, charcoal is still popularly used to this day to create both soft and graphic artwork. Similar to charcoal, soft pastels can also be used when you want to incorporate colour into your work.
Watercolours
Watercolours are a great option to go for when you’re just starting out. Although watercolour is used by many prominent artists on the scene, this specific medium could prove to be tricky for some beginners. Working with watercolours allows you to blend colours together thanks to the main element used being water.
Very little can be done to the end result of your work when using watercolour – a wide range of colours is achievable with this specific medium when you add water, but once you commit to your canvas, it can be hard to change the outcome. With a translucent nature, watercolours are commonly used in mixed media artwork with famous artists such as Winslow Homer having used this medium in their work.
Acrylic Paint
There are many paint mediums to choose from, but acrylic is undoubtedly one of the most used. Compared to oil paints, acrylic dries quicker – this makes it a favourite when it comes to choosing which art medium to use. Becoming water resistant once dry, acrylic paint can be combined to create various colour shades.
One of the main advantages of using acrylic paint is that you’re able to continue applying layers to achieve textures and depth in your work. Offering versatility and boldness, acrylics are rich in consistency and ideal for canvas work or art print.
David Hockney is a well-respected, famous acrylic painter who first became popular during the 1970s. His artwork can be viewed today in galleries all over the world. Creating most of his artwork in California, Hockney found that fast-drying acrylic was more suited to use in the hot climates he worked in compared to oil-based paint.
Oil Paint
Oil paint is slower drying compared to acrylic paint. Made from various pigments combined with oil such as linseed, oil paints are widely used across the globe by both small and large artists. It’s easy to add additional layers to your canvas when using oil paint, thanks to its thin consistency. Famous oil painters include Pablo Picasso Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt.
Originating in Europe during the early 15th century, oil paints were used by historical painters. Before oil paint arrived, tempera was the most popular medium being used. Oil paint can be easily modified by using other solvents such as white spirit or turpentine – you can add varnish over your completed artwork if you prefer your work to have a glossy finish.
Three-Dimensional
Referring to sculptures, carvings and other art pieces created with dimension, height, depth and width, three-dimensional art is one of the earliest examples of art. Dimensional art tells us a lot about the time period they were created in and who they were constructed by.
Both bronze and stone carvings are perfect examples of early three-dimensional art. Fast forward to 2023, and three-dimensional art can now be created using technologically advanced methods.
Exploring Different Art Options
Here at Art Investments, we offer professional guidance and advice – if you’d like to find out more about different art mediums, feel free to contact a member of our team for information by calling us.
